Former Dumaguete councilor, 71, passes away

CEBU, Philippines - Former Dumaguete City councilor, lawyer Franklin Esmena Sr., passed away at the age of 71 on February 7, due to a lingering ailment.

Esmena was laid to rest yesterday at the Dumaguete City Memorial Park, after a Requiem Mass at 3 p.m., according to his son, incumbent City Councilor Franklin “JJ” Esmena Jr.

JJ said his late father requested for only a short wake and that his body not brought to the City Hall.

Franklin Sr. was survived by his wife Lucille, three children—Councilor JJ and wife Maritess, Franklin Oscar Victoriano III, Pearl and King—and grandchildren Audrey Rose and Victoria Rose, Isabel, Margaret and Sebastian Franklin.

The late councilor was a public servant for more than 20 years, starting as a member of Pusyon Bisaya in the 1970s against the KBL party of then president Ferdinand Marcos.

In 1987, Franklin Sr. was appointed OIC councilor of Dumaguete by then president Corazon Aquino, and completed his first three terms from 1988 up to 1997.

In 1998, he run for vice mayor but failed against now incumbent Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling. He became a councilor again, for another three terms, from 2001 to 2010, the same year when his son JJ got his first term as city councilor.

In 2013, Franklin Sr. was diagnosed with colon cancer, He died at the Holy Child Hospital last February 11.

Before he died, the City Council conferred on Franklin Sr. a resolution of appreciation for his invaluable contribution to the city especially on vital legislations. — (FREEMAN)